How to Determine When Engine Oil Needs Replacement?
2 Answers
Determining whether engine oil needs replacement can be assessed from two aspects. Here are the relevant details: 1. Judge by inspecting the oil quality. First observe its transparency - if the color is clear with slight impurities, it can still be used. If the color turns black and smells acidic, it's time to replace the oil because it has deteriorated and can no longer provide protection. 2. Check the oil's viscosity with your fingers. Dip some oil on your hand and test its viscosity between two fingers. If the oil shows no viscosity at all and feels like water, this indicates the oil has reached its usage limit and needs replacement to ensure proper engine operation.
Open the hood, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and reinsert it. Then pull it out again to check the oil color and viscosity. If the oil is pitch black or thin like water, it's probably time for a change. Generally, you should check it every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, otherwise, the engine will wear out faster and get noisier. I usually check it every three months to avoid cylinder scuffing or bearing failure—repairs can be a real hassle. Oil life also depends on driving habits. Frequent traffic jams or high-speed driving can accelerate oxidation, meaning more frequent changes. Don’t skimp when buying new oil—choosing the right grade can extend engine life by tens of thousands of miles. If unsure, take a small bottle of old oil to a repair shop for testing to avoid unnecessary hassle.
